My thoughts on the Phillies season.

Brad Lidge’s eleventh blown save of the year leaves the Phils’ magic number at five as the Phils lose a heartbreaker to the Marlins in the ninth, 7-6.

The Phils lose a heartbreaker in the bottom of the ninth to the Marlins, 7-6, as Brad Lidge blows his major league leading eleventh save of the season. The lost leaves the Phils’ magic number at five.

The Phils took the lead in the third as, with runners on the corners, and with two men out, Ryan Howard hits a two-run double, knocking in Jimmy Rollins, who had earlier doubled, and moved up to third on Chase Utley’s fielder’s choice’s grounder, and Utley, who had reached first base on a fielder’s choice, as Marlins’ first baseman Cody Ross threw home to nail Phils’ starter Cole Hamels, who had earlier singled, and had gone to third on Rollins’ double, out at home plate, 3-2, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead. The Marlins cut the Phils lead in half in the fourth as, with a runner on third, and with one out, Jorge Cantu hits an RBI single, knocking in Cameron Maybin, who had earlier doubled and had moved to third on Hanley Ramirez’s ground out, 4-3, making it a 2-1 Phils’ lead. The Marlins then tied it up at two-all in the fifth as Ross hits a lead-off home run, his twenty-fourth home run of the year. Three batters later, with a runner on second, and with one out, Chris Coghlan hits an RBI single, knocking in Ronny Paulino, who had earlier singled, and had moved up to second on Rick VandenHurk’s sacrifice bunt, giving the Marlins a 3-2 lead. The Phils would re-tie the game in the sixth as, with one out, Raul Ibanez hits a solo home rome, his thirty-third home run of the year. Three batters later, with a runner on second, and with two men out, Hamels would help his own cause by hitting an RBI single, knocking in Pedro Feliz, who had earlier doubled, giving the Phils a 4-3 lead. The Phils increased their lead in the seventh as, with one man on, and with one out, Howard hits a two-run home run, his forty-second home run of the season, knocking in Utley, who had earlier walked, making it a 6-3 Phils’ lead. The Marlins got a run back in their half of the seventh as, with one out, pinch hitter Gaby Sanchez hits a solo home run, his second home run of the season, to make it 6-4 Phils. The Marlins made it 6-5 in the eighth as, with a runner on third, and with two men out, Ross hits an RBI single, knocking in Cantu, who had earlier singled, moved to second when pinch hitter Nick Johnson was hit by the pitch, and then moved to third as Dan Uggla hits into a 6-3 double play, wiping out pinch runner Emilio Bonifacio at second, who was running for Johnson. The Marlins would then tie it up at six-all in the ninth as, with two men on, and with two men out, Cantu hits an RBI single, scoring Ross Gload who had earlier doubled, while sending Ramirez, who had just walked, over to third. After Cantu took second on defensive indifference, pinch hitter Brett Carroll hits an RBI single, scoring Ramirez and giving the Marlins a 7-6 walk-off win.

Cole Hamels received a no-decision as he pitched seven innings, giving up four runs on eight hits and a hit batter, while striking out four. Ryan Madson recorded his twenty-sixth hold of the season as he pitched an inning, giving up a run on two hits and a hit batter, while he struck out one. Brad Lidge blew his eleventh save while on his way to taking the lost, as he gave up two runs on three hits and a walk. His record is now 0-8 with a 7.48 ERA. Rick VandenHurk also got a no-decision as he pitched six innings, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk, while striking out five. Reynel Pinto pitched an inning, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk. Kino Calero pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a walk, while he struck out a batter. Dan Meyer picked up the win as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up just a walk. His record is now 3-1 with a 2.96 ERA.

The Phils had nine hits in the game, with Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez and Cole Hamels leading the way with two hits each, with Ryan’s hits being a double and a home run, knocking in four runs, and with one of Ibanez’s hits being a solo home run. Jimmy Rollins, Pedro Feliz and Paul Bako each had one hit, with Rollins and Feliz’s hits being doubles. Hamels knocked in the Phils’ other run. The offense, in spite of its offensive display, wasn’t able to add an insurance run in the last two innings of the game.

The Phils (88-63, 1st East) conclude their last road trip of the season with a four-games series against the Brewers (75-77, 3rd Central), starting tonight. The game will be played at Miller Park and will begin at 8:05 pm Eastern (7:05 pm Central). The Phils will send to the mound J.A. Happ (10-4, 2.77), who is coming off a no-decision against the Braves on September 18, as he only pitched three innings, giving up just one run on five hits, as he struck out five, in the Phils’ 9-4 win. He will be trying to show that he is okay, while hoping to help cut down the Phils’ magic number. The Brew crew will counter with Jeff Suppan (7-10, 4.76), who is coming off a win against the Astros on September 19, as he pitched seven strong innings, giving up two runs on five hits, while striking out seven in the Brewers’ 7-2 win. He will be trying to give the Phils trouble. The Phils will be trying to tie their team road wins record while at the same time trying to bring the magic number down further before coming back home to Citizens Bank Park.

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